Aerial projectile



L. HOLMES, JR

AERIAL PROJ CTILE v Filed March 22, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l JAWEENCE 1Y0; MES, r752 INVENTOR.

A TORNEY.

Dec, 3, 1946.

f a i 7 I Dec. 3, 1946-. L. HOLMES, JR 2,412,151

AERIAL PROJECTILE F'iled March 22, 1943 2 Sheets-sheet 2 LAWQENCEMM/Ias, r7 INVENTOR. 1

ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 3, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT GFHCE AERIAL PROJECTILE Lawrence Holmes, Jr., Los-Angeles, Calif. Application March 22, 1943, Serial "No. 480,109

12 Claims.

This'invention'relates to a hi h explosive ,pro- :jectile containing one or more, and preferably a plurality, of secondary high explosive projectiles. The projectile of my invention is designed to develop a bursting pattern which will cover a greater area than will a conventional high explosive projectile of equal caliber.

The pattern of the explosive pressure waves is therefore such that regions of high explosive pressure :and pressure gradients are established at a distance from the main projectile in a symmetrical pattern around the projectile. Since the magnitude of the explosive .force varies inversely as the square :of the distance from the focus of the explosion, it would be necessary, when using a conventional projectile, in order to obtain the same explosive pressure at the points where the secondary projectiles of my invention explode, to generate an explosive pressure which is much greater than that required in my projectile. This will require agreater charge of powder and a, larger projectile than is necessary when using the shell of my invention.

The projectile of my invention carries charges of propellant powder which are timed to explode at a predetermined position in the trajectory. Second projectiles are expelled preferably at .a substantial angle to the trajectory of the main projectile rather than on the line of the flight of the main projectile, the purpose being to enlarge the sphere of explosive action over a greater area rather than to give an increased range 'to the projectile. These projectiles, and in'my preferred embodiment the main projectile also, each carries separate explosive charges. These several explosive charges, in my preferred embodiment, are timed so that they all explode simultaneously. By proper selection of the amount and character of explosive powder in each of the projectiles, the explosions may be timed so that the effective sphere of pressure generated by the main-projectile and the secondary projectiles, which explode in a symmetrically spaced pattern around the central main projectile, which may also explode, may be made to create any desired force pattern. Thus, the regions of high pressure may be distributed over a wider area than is attainable .by projectiles of equal caliber of conventional design, particularly if the explosions are spaced properly. The 'explosions may be so spaced that the effective spheres of explosion waves interfere only in the region of relatively low explosion pressures and are thus substantially'tangent to each other, or

the explosive force is properly distributed be '2 tween the several projectiles to develop desired interference patterns and the pressure gradients thus largely increased, particularly in the area surrounding the main projectile and encompassed by the :locus of :the foci of the explosion of .the secondary projectiles.

As .a result .of this augmentation of explosion force and its dispersal over .avlarge area, the sphere of effective action of the projectile is largely increased over that'of projectiles-of equal caliber. In addition to this augmentation and dispersal of explosion force, the effective pattern of fire of the projectile 'is also increased. The several'zsecon'da y projectiles and the main projectile, on explosion, fragment. The fra merited parts disperse andare projected at high velocity along the radius of the spherical explosion waves of the several projectiles. The radius "of the effective pattern of fire resulting from the dispersal :of the fragments is enlarged by reason of the extension of the zone of high pressure by the provision of the secondary projectiles which explode and fragment and themselves act as *foci :of dispersal.

As a .result of this action the probability of a vital hit .is increased. This is particularly important in anti-aircraft fire. When my projectile is employed in anti-aircraft artillery an airship caught in the pattern of fire will be hit by fragments moving from the main projectile and from the secondary projectiles. It will also be caught between the severa1 explosion waves which encompass it, particularly if it is caught in the area between the main projectile and the secondary projectiles or between any two of the secondary projectiles. In such region it will be subjected to a crushing and shearing i'lo'rce created by the opposing moving masses of air.

The same action will also cause-an overturnin L moment to be imposed upon the aircraft which may be of :such magnitude as to throw the aircraft out of control.

In the specific embodiment illustrated in this application, one shell does the duty of five shells. In my invention as here specifically illustrated, the five shells explode simultaneously in a pattern of five uniformly spaced, simultaneously exploding shells. An air-craft caught in :this

pattern of fire is subjected to an exp force directed from the spaced foci of explosion and subjected to the fragments and explosion waves coming from the five projectiles.

While my projectile has a particularly useful application to anti-aircraft artillery, it is useful also in other forms of artillery and also as aircraft bombs. In all such applications the increase in the efiective radius of action of both the explosive force and of the fire pattern increases the value of the shell or bomb.

My invention will be further described in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, such description shall be taken as an illustration and not as a limitation of my invention. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of my projectile illustrated as applied to fixed type ammunition;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows the projectile of Fig. 1 in flight at the instant of initiation of discharge of the secondary projectile;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section taken along the line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a detail of the trigger mechanism; and

Fig. 7 is a section taken along the line I -l of Fig. 5.

As shown in Fig. 1, the projectile I which is carried in shell case I is formed of four hollow annulus sectors 2, hereinafter referred to as sectors. They are fitted about a central tube 4. Each of the sectors is formed with curved sides Ia to Id and 5a and 5d, and straight sides 6a to 6d. When assembled, the sides Ia to I01 form a smooth cylindrical surface and sides 6a to 6d fit against each other, and sides 5a to 5d fit around the central tube 4 to form a cylinder of smooth exterior surface. The sectors are closed at their bottom ends and are hinged to the bottom of tube 4 by hinges 2a to 2d. The bottoms of sectors 2 are relieved as shown in Fig. 2 by an angular bevel 8, whose function will be described later. In each of the sectors which act as secondary cartridges is set a secondary hollow projectile I2. These projectiles reach part way to the bottom of their receiving sectors, thus leaving a space It to act as a reservoir for a charge of propulsive powder. The sides of the projectiles I2 are recessed at I I to flt over the end of the sides I a to Id. The nose of the sectoral projectiles is developed as a sector of a surface of revolution such as spherical sector I3. The bottom of each of the projectiles I2 carry a fuse chamber I6a covered by a cap plate I l. The bottom of the sector is pierced by a hole l5 carrying a suitable primer I la. The chamber I4 of each of the pro jectiles carries a charge of explosivepowder. A fuse passes through the cap I1, is positioned in chamber IBa, and passes through the hole I5.

Instead of a dynamite type fuse other types of time fuses may be provided in the chamber IBa, such as a mechanical time fuse such as is used in anti-aircraft artillery. V

The beveled surface 8 is tapped at 25 to receive a trigger mechanism 28, illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7, inclusive. One is provided in each of the sectoral projectiles. Stud 29 carries a tube 3!] carrying a cap plate 3I and pierced with a hole 49 and also carrying a tubular guide 39. A trigger pin 3Ia passes through the stud 29' with a smooth sliding fit. The pin carries a bracket 32 which is cut out to form openings 33 and 34 to give passages or orifices of different width. The bracket 32 acts against a compression spring 35. Guided in guide 39 is a pin 36 axially aligned with hole 40 and carrying a circular plate-38 whose diameter is greater than the width of the opening 34 and less than the width of the opening 33. Between this plate and the wall of the tube 3,3

' 4 is a compression spring 31. Fig. 5 shows the striking pin in the retracted position and Fig. 6 shows the striking pin in firing position. Bracket 42 carries a cap M which when struck by pin 35 sets off the powder charge.

In the central tube 4 is positioned a member I9. This member reaches to near the bottom 3 of tube 4, thus forming a powder chamber I 8. The member I9 is provided with an axial flash tube 22 and an annular powder chamber 25. The bottom of this member I9 is pierced by a hole 21 which is covered by a cap plate 28. In this hole is positioned a primer 27a and a fuse 26 which passes through the plate 28'. The flash tube 22 connects with the powder chamber of the mechanical fuse and is sealed by a primer 22a. The head of the member I9 is tapped at 20 to receive a mechanical fuse 2| of conventional design. The nose of member I9 is formed to provide an overhanging lip whose bottom is developed as an annulus whose surface is complementary to and will rest over the noses of the spherical secondary projectiles, for instance, as a spherical annulus which registers with the spherical sectors forming the nose of the sectoral projectiles I2. The sectors 2 and the projectiles I2 are thus locked in place beneath the lip, which acts as a latch to hold them in axially aligned position, and the shell surface forms a smooth streamlined surface which may be of any desired ballistic contour.

The operation of the projectile is as follows. The fuse mechanism having been set for the desired flight, the projectile is fired from the shell case I. During the. flight of the projectile, the sectors 2, the secondary projectiles I2, and the member I9 remain in locked position, and the ballistic coefficient of the shell remains constant. The trajectory of the shell is that of a normal shell of like caliber and ballistic coefl'icient. At a predetermined point in the trajectory, determined by the setting of the mechanical fuse 2|, the flash of the fuse passes down the flash tube 22 and the primer 22a ignites the propellant powder in chamber I8. The amount of the powder is sufficient merely to move the member I9 only part way in the tube to the position shown in Fig. 4. In this position the tip of the lip clears the highest point of the nose of the sectoral projectiles I2.. The centrifugal force of the spin and yaw of the projectile in it flight and the wind pressure will forcethe'sides Ia to Id to the extended position shown in Fig. 4, where their axes make an angle axis of the tube 1. In this position the adjacent beveled surfaces 8 fit against each other to act as the stops for holdingrthe sectors in their chosen angular position. When these surfaces 8 approach each other the pin 3Ia in each projectile is pushedinward as the adjacent surface 8 abuts against the pin 3ia. The firing pin is held in the position shown in Fig. 5 until the movement of the pin 3 la, resulting from the approach of the surfaces 8 as the sectors reach their lower positions, moves the bracket 32 to an upward position where the plate 38 clears the opening 34 and passes through the opening 33. This occurs only when the sectors reach their lowest position and the adjacent surfaces 8 abut each other. When this position is reached the spring 3'! forcesthe pin and shoulder through the cap 4|.

It will be undcrstoodthat this operation occurs in each of the sectors 2 simultaneously. 'We then have a simultaneous explosion of the propellant powder in each of the sectors 2 and a simultaopening 33 and firing pin 36 hits the 5 neous ejection oi the sectoral secondary projectiles l2. Due to this simultaneous ejection, the recoil action resulting irom'the ejection of the .severalprojectiles substantially neutralize each other. The angle of the axis of the sectors 2 to the fuse'25 is ignited. Upon ignition of the powder in chamber [5 of each of the sectors 2, the fuses a in each of the projectiles l2 are also ignited. The fuses 26 and lfia in projectiles l2 -and member ii are so timed that they will 51- multaneously, through the medium of the primers Ma and 21a, explode the explosive powder in the chamber M of each of the projectiles l2 and in chamber 25 of member H3 at a predetermined interval of time after the expulsion of the projectiles 12 from their respective sides Ia to Id. There is therefore a simultaneous explosion and fragmentation of the projectiles i2 and the member 19 and with it the shell case composedof tube 4 and also sides la to ld.

The timing of the several explosions is preierably such that the explosions occur at substantially the same time. However, by a different timing, the explosions may be made to occur at various times so that any distribution of explosions and any force pattern may be created. The propulsion force and the timing of the several explosions arealso such as to give the desired force pattern as described above.

The embodiment of my invention here shown and described is for the purpose of illustration only, and various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A projectile comprising: a plurality of hinged hollow cartridge sections, secondary projectiles positioned in said hinged cartridge sections, means for holding said sections'in locked position axially aligned with each other, means'for unlocking said sections upon the passage. of a predetermined time interval, means fo holding said sections in a position substantially at a right angle to said first-named axially aligned position,

a trigger comprising a trigger pin, a firing. pin, 5

means connected to said trigger pin for holding said pin in safe position, means for moving said trigger pin upon arrival of said sections at said position, means operatively connected to said trigger pin for unlatching said firing pin, a detonating capv in said cartridge sections whereby on the unlatching of said firing pin said pin strikes said detonating cap.

2. A projectile comprising: a central tube cartridge. and a plurality of annulus sector cartridge sections circumferentially nested around said tubular section and hingedly connected thereto, said sectors forming a smooth exterior cylin der, secondary projectiles positioned in said annulus sectors, a latching member positioned in said central tube and interlocking withsaid secondary projectiles to form a smooth exterior ballistic surface in cooperation with the. latching member, charges of propulsive powder in said tubular member and in said sectors, charges of explosive powder in said secondary projectiles and in said latching member, time-controlled fuse mechanism in said central tubular member to ignite the charge ofpropulsive powder in said central tubular member to move said latchin member to unlatching position, stops for holding said annulus sector sections at substantially a right angle to the axis of said tubular member, upon the unlatching of said latch, trigger mechanism operated to ignite the charges of propulsive powder in said annulus sectors upon arrival of said sectors at said angle, a. fuse forignitin the charges of explosive powder said latch member, and fuses in said secondary projectiles.

3. A projectile comprising: a. central tube cartridge and a plurality of annulus sector cartridge sections circumferentially nested around said tubular section and hingedly connected thereto, said sectors forming a smooth exterior cylinder, secondary projectiles positioned in said annulus-sectors, a latching member positioned in said central tube, said latching member carrying an overhanging lip section engaging the noses of said projectiles and interlocking :with'said secondary projectiles to form a smooth exterior ballistic surface, in cooperation with the latching rnember, charges of propulsive .powderin said tubular member and in said sectors, charges of explosive powder in said secondary projectiles and in said latching -member, time-controlled fuse mechanismin said central tubular member toignitethe charge of propulsive powderin said central tubular member to move saidilatching member to unlatching position, stops for holding said "annulus sector sections at substantially'a right. an gle to the axis of saidtubular member, -upon the unlatching of said latch, trigger mechanism onerated to ignite the charges of propulsive powder in said annulus sectors upon arrival of said sectors at saidangle, a fuse for igniting'the charges of explosive powderin said latch/member, and fuses in said secondary projectiles.

$1,. A projectile comprising: a central tube car,-

tridge and a plurality of annulus sectorycartridge' sections circumferentially nested around said tubular section andhingedly connected thereto, said sectors forming a smooth-exterior cylinder, secondary projectiles positioned in said annulus sectors, the noses of .said secondary projectiles being developed as a sector-of a surface of revolution,a latching member positioned in said central tube, said latching member carrying a section cemplementary to and fitting over said noses and interlocking with said secondary projectiles ;to form a smooth exterior-ballistic surface, in cooperation with the latching member, charges of propulsive powderin said tubular member and in said sectors, charges of explosivepowder in said secondary projectiles; and in said latching member, time-controlled vfuse mechanism Insaid central tubular member to ignite the charge of propulsive powder in said centraltubular member to move said latching member to unlatching position, stops for holding said annulus sector sections at substantially a right angle to the axis of said tubular member, upon the unlatching-oisaid latch, trigger mechanismoperated to ignite the charges of propulsive powderin said annulus sectors upon arrival of said sectors at said-angle, a fuse for igniting thev charges of explosive powder in said latch member, and fuses in said secondary projectiles. 1 I

5. A projectile comprising: central tube car tridge and a plurality of annulus sector cartridge sections ciroumfe'rentially; nested aroundgsaid tubular section and hingedly connected thereto, said sectors forming a smooth exterior cylinder, secondary projectiles positioned in said annulus sectors, a latching member positioned in said 1 central tube and interlocking with said secondary projectiles to form a smoothexterior ballistic surface in cooperation with the latching member, charges of propulsive powder in said tubular member and in said sectors, charges of explosive powder in said secondary projectiles and in said latching member, time-controlled fuse mechanism in said central tubular member to ignite the'charge of propulsive powder in said central tubular member to move said latching member to unlatching position, stops for holding said tubular member at substantially a right angle to the axis of said annulus sector sections, upon the unlatching of said latch, trigger mechanism 'operated to ignite the charges of propulsive powder in said annulus sectors upon arrival of said sectors at said angle, said trigger mechanism comprising a trigger pin, a bracket attached to said trigger pin, an orifice in said bracket, said bracket operating against a compression spring, a firing pin, a shoulder on saidfiring pin operating against a compression spring, said bracket holding said firing pin in open 7 said cartridge chamber of said annulus sectors whereby, upon the approach of said sectors to said stop, the trigger pin on abutment against 'said stop moves said bracket to register said orifice with'said shoulder to permit the passage 'of said firing pin with a medium of said spring through said orifice to strike said detonating cap, a fuse for igniting the charges of explosive powder in said latch member, and fuses in said secondary projectiles.

' 6. A projectile comprising: a central tube car tridge and a plurality of annulus sector cartridge sections circumferentially nested around said tubular section and hingedly connected thereto, said sectors forming a smooth exterior cylinder, secondary projectiles positioned in said annulus sectors, thenoses of said secondary projectiles being developed as a sector of a surface of revolution, a latching member positioned in said central tube, said latching member carrying a section complementary to and fitting over said noses and interlocking with said secondary projectiles to form a smooth exterior ballistic surface, in cooperation with the latching member, charges of propulsive powder in said tubular member and insaid sectors, charges of explosive powder in said secondary projectiles and in said latching member, time-controlled fuse mechanism in said central tubular member to ignite the charge of propulsive powder in said central tubular memher to move said latching member to unlatching position, stops for holding said tubular member at substantally a right angle to the axis of said annulus sector sections, upon the unlatching of said'latch, trigger mechanism operated to ignite the charges of propulsive powder in said annulus sectors upon arrival of said sectors at said angle, said trigger mechanism comprising a trigger pin, a bracket attached to said trigger pin, an orifice in said bracket, said bracket operating against a compression spring, a firing pin, a shoulder on -said firing pin operating against a compression spring, said bracket holding said firing pin in open position, a detonating cap in said cartridge chamber of said annulus sectors whereby, upon the approach of said sectors to said stop, the trigger pin on abutment against said stop, moves said bracket to register said orifice with said position, a detonating cap in shoulder to permit the passage of said firing pin through the medium of said spring through said orifice to strike said detonating cap, a fuse for igniting the charges of explosive powder in said latch member, and fuses in said secondary projectiles.

7. A projectile comprising: a central tube cartridge and a plurality of annulus sector cartridge sections circumferentially nested around said tubular sections and hingedly connected thereto, said sec-tors forming a smooth exterior cylinder, secondary projectiles positioned in said annulus sectors, a latching member positioned in said central tube and interlocking with said secondary projectiles to form'a smooth exterior ballistic surface in cooperation with the latching member, charges of propulsive powder in saidtubular member and in said'sectors, charges of explosive powder in said secondary projectiles and in said latching member, time-controlled fuse mechanism in said central tubular member to ignite the charge of propulsive powder in said central tubular member to move said latching member to unlatching position, and means for holding said an.- nulus sector sections at a substantial angle to the axis of said tubular member, upon the unlatching of said latch.

8. A projectile comprising: a central tube cartridge and a plurality of annulus sector cartridge sections circumferentially nested around said tubular section and hingedly connected thereto, said sectors forming a smooth exterior cylinder, secondary projectiles positioned in said'annulus sectors, a latching member positioned in said centrol tube an interlocking with said secondary projectiles to form a smooth exterior ballistic surface in cooperation with the latching member, charges of propulsive powder in said tubular member and in said sectors, charges of explosive powder in said secondary projectiles and in said latching member, time-controlled fuse mechanism in said central tubular member to ignite the charge of propulsive powder in said central tubular member to move said latching member to unlatching position, means for holding said annulus sector sections at a substantial angle to the axis of said tubularmember, upon the unlatching of said latch, and means for firing said propulsive charges in said cartridge sections when said sections have arrived at their right-an led positions.

9. A projectile comprising: a central tube cartridge and a plurality of annulus sector cartridge sections circumferentially nested around said tubular section and hingedly connected thereto, said sectors forming a smooth exterior cylindensecondary projectiles positioned in said annulus sec tors, a latching member positioned in said central tube, said latching member carrying an overhanging lip section engaging the noses of said projectiles and interlocking with said secondary projectiles to form a smooth exterior ballistic surface, in cooperation with the latching member, charges of propulsive powder in said tubular member and in said sectors, charges of explosive powder in said secondary projectiles and in said latching member, time-controlled fuse mechanism in said central tubular member to ignite the charge of propulsive powder in said central tubular member to move said latching member to unlatching position, means for holding said annu lus sector sections at substantially a right angle to the axis of saidtubular member, upon the unf latching of said latch, and means for firing said propulsive charges in said cartridge sections when said sections have arrived at their right-angled position.

10. A projectile comprising: a central tube cartridge and a plurality of annulus sector cartridge sections circumferentially nested around said tubular section and hingedly connected. thereto, said sectors forming a smooth exterior cylinder, secondary projectiles positioned in said annulus sectors, a latching member positioned in said central tube, said latching member carrying an overhanging lip section engaging the noses of said projectiles and interlocking with said secondary projectiles to form a smooth exterior ballistic surface, in cooperation with the latching member, charges of propulsive powder in said tubular member and in said sectors, means in said central tubular member to ignite the charge of propulsive powder in said central tubular member to move said latching member to unlatching position, and means for holding said annulus sector sections at substantially a right angle to the axis of said tubular member, upon the unlatching of said latch.

11. A projectile comprising: a central tube cartridge and a plurality of annulus sector cartridge sections circumferentially nested around said tubular section and hingedly connected thereto, said sectors forming a smooth exterior cylinder, secondary projectiles positioned in said annulus sectors, a latching member positioned in said central tube, said latching member carrying an overhanging lip section engaging the noses of said projectiles and interlocking with said secondary projectiles to form a smooth exterior ballistic surface, in cooperation with the latching member, charges of propulsive powder in said tubular member and in said sectors, time-controlled fuse mechanism in said central tubular member to ignite the charge of propulsive powder in said central tubular member to move said latching member to unlatching position, stops, for holding said annulus sector sections at substantially a right angle to the axis of said tubular member,

upon the unlatching of said latch, and means for firing said propulsive charges in said cartridge sections when said sections have arrived at their right-angled positions.

12. A projectile comprising: a central tube cartridge and a plurality of annulus sec-tor cartridge sections circumferentially nested around said tubular section and hingedly connected thereto, said sectors forming a smooth exterior cylinder, secondary projectiles positioned in said annulus sectors, the noses of said secondary projectiles being developed as a sector of a surface of revolution, a latching member positioned in said central tube, said latching member carrying a section complementary to and fitting over said noses and interlocking with said secondary projectiles to form a smooth exterior ballistic surface, in cooperation with the latching member, charges of propulsive powder in said. tubular member and in said sectors, charges of explosive powder in said secondary projectiles and in said latching member, time-controlled fuse mechanism in said central tubular member to ignite the charge of propulsive powder in said central tubular member to move said latching member to unlatching position, stops for holding said annulus sector sections at substantially a right angle to the axis of said tubular member, upon the unlatching of said latch, and means for firing said propulsive charges in said cartridge sections when said sections have arrived at their right-angled positions.

LAWRENCE HOLMES, JR. 

